Islamabad, 13th October 2026, A 3 day ANSO-COMSATS-TWAS Conference on “A Sustainable Future for All Living Species on Planet Earth” commenced today in Islamabad, bringing together international scientists, researchers, policymakers and young scholars to strengthen scientific cooperation and advance sustainable development across the Global South.

Organised by COMSATS in collaboration with the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS-UNESCO), with support from the University of Trieste, the Conference is an official activity of the UNESCO-led International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024-2033. 

Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Shahid Baloch, was the Chief Guest. Emphasising equitable access to scientific progress, he highlighted the importance of ensuring that developing countries benefit from scientific knowledge, emerging technologies and research opportunities. 

COMSATS Executive Director, Ambassador Zakaria, underscored need for international scientific partnerships, highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence, Earth observation, biotechnology and renewable energy to strengthen environmental resilience and translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions.

The conference centres on three themes, Sustainability Education and Planetary Health; the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus for Sustainability; and Science–Policy Dialogue for a Sustainable Future. Ambasadors of Jordan, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Diplomats of Zimbabwe, Sudan, Prof. Jibin Sun, Chairman COMSATGS Coordinating Council, Dr. Max Paoli, Coordinator TWAS-UNESCO, Prof. Buratti of ICGEB, and Eminent Scientists & Members of COMSATS Technical Advisory Committee attended the Ceremony, COMSATS Scientists are Resource Persons participating as Speakers and scholars from 16 countries including Benin, China, Ghana, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Pakistan, Lesotho, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Bangladesh, Chad and Tanzania, will also sharing their expertise.

Representatives of scientific and academic institutions, including the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and the Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF) joined the Inaugural.

Through expert dialogue and cross-border knowledge exchange, the Conference seeks to strengthen scientific networks, build research capacity and identify actionable approaches to sustainability and resilience. It reaffirms the importance of inclusive scientific cooperation in ensuring that research, innovation and emerging technologies contribute to a more sustainable future for all living species.